University of the Arts London

University of the Arts London (UAL) started life in 1986 under the name London Institute, formed by uniting a group of long-standing colleges specialising in art, design, fashion and media. University status was conferred in 2003, and the present name was adopted a year later in 2004. Six colleges make up UAL: London College of Fashion, London College of Communication, Central Saint Martins, Wimbledon College of Arts, Camberwell College of Arts and Chelsea College of Arts. Alongside them sits the Creative Computing Institute. All the colleges are in London; Central Saint Martins, for instance, occupies a purpose-built home at King's Cross, opened in 2011.

Around 23,000 students choose from over 200 courses spanning fashion, art, design, media, communication, performance and computing, at levels from pre-degree study up to doctoral research. Almost half of UAL's students come from outside both the UK and the European Union, giving it one of the biggest international student communities of any university in the UK. In the QS subject rankings for art and design, it regularly features among the leading institutions worldwide.

Information for International Students

UAL's official representatives in many countries assist with choosing a course, preparing a portfolio, applying and obtaining a visa. Undergraduates apply through UCAS or one of these representatives, whereas pre-degree and postgraduate courses accept applications directly. Most practice-based courses need a portfolio, for which UAL publishes guidance. English requirements are set for each course individually, usually in the range IELTS 5.0 to 7.5. Degree offer holders can take UAL's BALEAP-accredited pre-sessional English, either as a seven-week course taught on campus in London or as a 12-week course online. At pre-degree level, UAL offers its Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, International Preparation for Fashion and other courses for international students, among them introductions to studying fashion and to studying design, media and screen.

UAL's London halls are run by the university or by partners. Rooms are not guaranteed; allocation depends on preference and availability, and students under 18, along with those who have declared a disability, receive priority. A separate policy covers under-18s, who are not accepted by certain partner halls. UAL publishes detailed immigration guidance and an online scholarship search, and the Graduate Route is open to eligible graduates.